measurement and analysis tools

[D_Dubya]

Newb alert ,first time / long time on these forums!

I just finished up my first project thanks to the many great threads on this forum and I'm happy with the results. But....I'm looking for a relatively simple and affordable solution to measure and analyze the speakers to further improve the design.

Short of the test tone CD and SPL meter method, are there any simple and straightforward software programs that can be used? Ideally I would drop a CD in the tray, place the computer mic in front of the speaker and press play / record and presto...graphs. Does this exist?

I've seen and used some of the freeware and read about the pricey purchased software stuff, but, what's in between and what do you guys use?

Thanks.

[artquake]

So then welcome ...

Look here for more Infos : I use Arta !

You'll need also a good soundcard and if you do speaker measurements a adequate microphone too.

There are many threads in here, feel yourself forced to search.

Regards
artQuake

[SY]

Very simple and free: Liberty Instruments' SynRTA. It even has the files to burn to your CD.

Arta is excellent, but may be more than you need for getting started. I've been using SoundEasy which is very powerful and has the most opaque user interface imaginable.

[D_Dubya]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll try a few of the other freeware versions first to see what they have to offer. I'm just hesistant to jump right into the pricey commercial software.

I should have been more direct in my question and asked for tools with an intuitive user interface...Speaker Workshop, ugh!

[Conrad Hoffman]

There's almost nothing I can't do with the free Visual Analyzer, including generate test tones and noise, while simultaneously measuring the response with the real time spectrum analyzer. I'm surprised more people don't take advantage of this thing.

[artquake]

Here's also another working FREE one ... Soundcard Oscilloscope

@Conrad
Do you have a link of the mentioned free "Visual Analyzer" ?

[Conrad Hoffman]

Inability to Google isn't a good sign, but here you go- Visual Analyzer

[gmilitano]

As mentioned above ARTA/Limp is very good. I have used it, but I need a better soundcard as mine has a poor SNR and high noise floor. If you just need impedance and T/S the Dayton Audio Woofer Tester 3 is very easy to use.

[artquake]

Originally posted by Conrad Hoffman
Inability to Google isn't a good sign, but here you go- Visual Analyzer

Hello conrad,
For clarification; This isn't Inability The term " Visual Analyzer" is nevertheless somewhat of a poor indication for a clear search to the point. I feel forced to say that what I find with google or other search engines must not mean that i'll find that what YOU possibly ment ... In fact in this case searching with google gives the result on the first hit. But that's not the usual thing, when a LINK isn't posted. Not inability but laziness isn't a good sign. Posting a Link is allways a good sign .

Peace and thank you for the link ... it looks really worth to give that software a try ...

artQuake

[Leglandu]

Hi D_Dubya,

Did you try Roomeqwizard already ?
http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/
You will have to register but it is freeware.

I found it to be very user friendly (after some setting, of course)
Just play "Start Mesuring" and, presto, 2 seconds later you get your curve... with some smoothing is you need... life is good